Reviewed by: Assel Omarova, MD, psychiatrist and addiction specialist · updated 6 Nov 2026
Key facts
- ICD-10 code
- F10.2
- Who provides care
- an addiction medicine physician (narcologist) and a psychotherapist, plus a psychiatrist if needed
- Format
- regular video appointments, messaging with a care coordinator between sessions, in-person steps when clinically indicated
- Duration
- appointments last 30–50 minutes; a course usually runs at least 2–3 months, with sessions becoming less frequent as things stabilize
- Confidentiality
- no registration with the state registry, you don't have to give your full name; medical confidentiality under the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- When it's an emergency
- seizures, hallucinations, confusion, suicidal thoughts — call 103 or 112
- Outcome
- reduced cravings, refusal skills, stable sobriety and a crisis plan
What you should know
Many people put off treatment because they picture a state addiction clinic, being placed on a registry and endless trips between doctors' offices. Online support works differently. You write on WhatsApp, “I want to stop drinking but don't know where to start,” the administrator finds a time slot, and a narcologist joins a video call — while you are at home, in your car in a parking lot or in a meeting room at the office. The first session is about understanding how long and how much you have been drinking, what you have already tried and what your goal is: complete sobriety or, as a first step, harm reduction.
Life in Almaty rarely leaves time for regular trips to the doctor: work, traffic jams on Al-Farabi Avenue, children, evening commitments. Video appointments of 30–50 minutes fit into a lunch break or late evening. At the same time, treatment does not turn into a mere “chat with a doctor”: Psychiatry Online draws up a clear plan, orders in-person tests when they are needed and arranges a doctor's home visit if a relapse happens. Patients from Medeu district and from Talgar get the same access to specialists.
Signs It's Time to See a Narcologist About Drinking
- you drink more and for longer than you planned and cannot stop when you meant to
- in the morning you need a drink to “take the edge off” so you can start the day
- you have memory blackouts about evenings when you were drinking
- alcohol has become your main way of coping with stress, boredom or insomnia
- people close to you increasingly bring up your drinking, and you get irritated in response
- you have problems at work, behind the wheel or with your health that are linked to alcohol
- attempts to “drink less” or “only on weekends” never last long
If heavy drinking has lasted more than two or three days, or there is shaking, vomiting, blood-pressure spikes or insomnia, you need a doctor rather than stopping alone. An online consultation is free and helps assess the risks before a visit. For seizures, confusion or hallucinations call 103 or 112.
Why Alcoholism Is a Disease, Not a Weakness of Character
Alcohol dependence syndrome (F10.2 in ICD-10, 6C40.2 in ICD-11) develops gradually. Repeated drinking changes the way the brain's reward systems work: alcohol becomes the main source of relief, and without it, anxiety, irritability and cravings increase. On top of that come genetic predisposition, family drinking habits, chronic stress, depression and anxiety disorders. That is why willpower alone is often not enough.
International clinical guidelines describe effective treatment as a combination of several components: medical care during withdrawal; when indicated, medications that reduce cravings or support sobriety (prescribed by a doctor after a medical evaluation); and psychosocial support — motivational counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy and family involvement. The online format is well suited to the psychosocial part and to regular monitoring.
How Online Alcoholism Treatment Works
For an appointment, you need a smartphone or laptop with a camera, a stable internet connection and a place where no one can overhear you — even a parked car will do. Sessions take place on WhatsApp, Telegram or Zoom. During the sessions, the doctor tracks how you feel, your sleep and episodes of craving, helps you analyze situations in which you wanted to drink, and works with you to recognize risky moments in advance. Between sessions, you can message your care coordinator if things get hard.
A full physical examination, lab tests and IV drips cannot be done online. If your liver or heart needs to be assessed, or if medications require an initial in-person visit under Kazakhstan law, the doctor will refer you for tests and an in-person appointment. During a binge, a narcologist can come to your home, while severe withdrawal, delirium or seizures require hospital care — in an emergency, call 103 or 112.
How we help
Diagnosis and a sobriety plan
In the first sessions, the narcologist assesses how severe the dependence is, your physical and mental health and any related problems such as anxiety, depression or insomnia. Together you set a goal and steps: which tests to take, how often to meet and which loved ones to involve. The plan is written down and reviewed every few weeks.
Motivational counseling
This approach helps you work through your own mixed feelings: why you drink and why you want to stop. The doctor does not pressure or shame you, but helps you put your own reasons for change into words and see what alcohol is costing you. The method works well online and suits people who are unsure whether they need treatment or who came at their family's insistence.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
The psychotherapist teaches you to recognize triggers — a conflict at work, a Friday evening, meeting up with friends — and to replace the automatic “let's have a drink” with other actions. You keep a craving diary, practice refusal skills and plan ahead how to handle risky situations, such as a toi (a large Kazakh family celebration) or an office party. This is the foundation of relapse prevention.
Medication support and monitoring
When indicated, the doctor may recommend medications from groups that reduce cravings or support sobriety. They can only be prescribed after a medical evaluation and in line with Kazakhstan's legal requirements for an initial in-person appointment. Online sessions make it possible to regularly check how well you tolerate treatment, as well as your sleep and mood, and to adjust the plan in time.
Myths and facts
MythAlcoholism can't be treated online — only inpatient care works
FactInpatient care is needed for severe withdrawal and complications. Most of the treatment — motivational work, psychotherapy and monitoring — is delivered effectively on an outpatient basis, which means it can also be done by video, with in-person steps when indicated.
MythIf I only drink on weekends, it isn't alcoholism
FactThe diagnosis is based not on frequency but on loss of control, craving and continued drinking despite harm. Regular “weekend” binges can also be a sign of dependence and are worth discussing with a narcologist.
MythYou can only quit once and for all
FactMany people relapse, and it does not mean treatment has failed. What matters is how quickly a person gets back on track. Online support helps you analyze a relapse and adjust your strategy. Every episode is material to work with, not a reason to abandon treatment.
How an online appointment works
- Message or callWrite on WhatsApp or call — our coordinator replies within minutes, day or night. You don't have to give your surname.
- Doctor and timeWe match you with a psychiatrist, addiction specialist or psychotherapist and agree on a time — often the same day.
- Video consultationA secure 50–60 minute video call: the doctor takes a detailed history and uses standardised scales if needed.
- Treatment planYou receive a clear summary, recommendations and a plan: what we do online and what needs an in-person visit or home call.
- Follow-upOnline follow-up sessions, messenger contact with your doctor, and treatment adjustments until you get a stable result.
Prices in Almaty
| Online assessment before the visit | free |
| Home alcohol detox (IV drip) | 40 000 ₸ |
| Night visit (10 pm – 8 am) | 50 000 ₸ |
The final cost is agreed before treatment starts. Prices are in tenge and do not constitute a public offer.
Where to get help
Psychiatry Online in Almaty: same-day video appointments and two branches for in-person visits — 129 Kurmangazy St., office 8, Almaty and 110 Bogenbay batyra St., office 15, Almaty. Our mobile team works around the clock: all city districts and nearby settlements. If you live elsewhere in Almaty and Almaty Region, starting online is usually easiest.
Confidential and private
Information about your visit, diagnosis and treatment is protected by medical confidentiality under the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”. We never share it with your employer, school or relatives without your consent; the only exceptions are those expressly set out by law. For an online consultation your first name is enough, video runs over a secure channel and nothing is recorded without your consent.
Questions and answers
How can I start treatment online if I don't live in central Almaty?
Location doesn't matter: video appointments are equally available in Auezov district, Kaskelen or Konaev. Message us on WhatsApp, choose a time, and the doctor will get in touch. If in-person steps are needed, we will arrange them along a convenient route.
How much does treatment cost and how long does it last?
The cost depends on the number of appointments and the specialists involved; the administrator will tell you the price before you start. The active phase usually lasts 2–3 months with weekly sessions, after which they become less frequent. The total length is determined individually.
Can I get a prescription online?
Whether medication can be prescribed depends on Kazakhstan law and the requirements for an initial in-person examination. The doctor will tell you honestly what is possible in your situation and, if necessary, refer you for an in-person appointment. We do not promise a “prescription in 5 minutes.”
Will my employer find out about my treatment?
No. We work anonymously, do not register patients with the state registry and do not share information with third parties. Medical confidentiality is protected by the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”; exceptions are possible only in cases explicitly provided for by law.
What should I do if I relapse between appointments?
Don't wait for your next session — message your care coordinator or call. The doctor will assess your condition by video and advise whether adjusting the plan is enough or whether a narcologist should come to your home. If you have alarming symptoms, call 103 or 112. Don't stay alone.
Can relatives take part in treatment?
Yes, and it often helps. With the patient's consent, family members can attend certain sessions and also receive their own consultations to learn how to offer support without control or reproach. Separate sessions for loved ones also take place online.
Where can I be seen in Almaty?
Online — from anywhere in the city or region. In person — at two branches: 129 Kurmangazy St., office 8, Almaty and 110 Bogenbay batyra St., office 15, Almaty. Both are open 24/7; home visits cover all city districts and nearby settlements.
Sources and methodology
This page was prepared by the Psychiatry Online medical editorial team based on:
- International Classification of Diseases ICD-10 and ICD-11, World Health Organization
- Clinical diagnosis and treatment protocols of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System”
- NICE (UK) and APA (US) guidelines on the treatment of mental disorders
- WHO recommendations on telemedicine and digital health
This information is for reference only and does not replace a consultation with a specialist. Editorial policy
